Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

Today is Earth Day which was started in the early '70's to make people more aware of the fragility of our planet. Yesterday I had to go to Prattsville, and on the side of the road were the bright orange trash bags that the state uses to clean up the roadside. I was amazed at the number of bags that were filled and ready to be picked up. Why do people still insist on throwing trash out of their cars? Bottles and cans that they paid an extra 5 cents for redemption are all over. If you don't want the money, at least put them in a recycle bin. Fast food wrappers are seen up and down the road. If you eat in your car, you can keep your trash in it until you find a garbage pail.

Under the heading, the more things change the more they stay the same pertains to last week's column. As Judy was proofing it with me, she came across a name that she couldn't decipher but thought it said Elouise. I couldn't remember writing anything like that, but the rest of the column was pertaining to activities that were coming up, so she added the correct dates, etc and hit "send". I got many comments that those we prayed for had either gotten better or passed last year. OOPS.

The family of Pastor D H Choi was visiting in Windham and wanted to see their former parishioners. 35 of us got together at the Windham Diner and got to catch up on their news. How the boys have grown!

Dinner Church for the Mountain Top Parish was held at Ashland with 38 in attendance. Thanks for the music, Eric and Arlene.

The East Jewett UMC hosts a free soup and sandwich lunch every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at the Kaaterskill church in Tannersville. Please join us.

The Lexington-Westkill UMC will be holding a Brooks Chicken BBQ on Friday, April 26th from 3 until 6 ( or sold out).

On Friday, May 10th, the Windham Hensonville UMC will be holding their annual pulled pork luncheon from 10:30 - 1:30. The menu includes a pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw, chips,a drink and homebaked cookie for $15.

The Catskill Glee Club will be holding their Spring Concert on May 18, at the Reformed Church in Catskill with guest artist : The Hair of the Dog.

Last week I had referenced an old ad for the Heidelberg on the Hill—town unknown. Thank you, Pat Morrow: Heidelberg on the Hill, also known as the Heidelberg Inn, was located on Clarke Street in Catskill, a dead-end street that runs uphill between the Greene County Courthouse and the First Reformed Church. The Heidelberg opened in 1912 with Mrs. Charles Beardsley as the proprietor.

Healing prayers for Jerry Cunningham who is in the Pines, William Poehmel and Lynn L.

Sympathy to the family of Jason Briggs, son of Larry and Brenda.

AS I REMEMBER IT

Last week I told you that many visitors to the Catskill Mountains came in by the Day Liners up the Hudson River, but there was also a rail line. Parties coming by N.Y.C.R.R. get out at Rhinecliff or Catskill Station and cross the river in the steam ferry boat; while those who take the West Shore Railroad connect at Kingston with the Ulster & Delaware Railroad; or at Catskill for Palenville, Cairo and other places. If you wanted to go by rail to the Catskill Mountain House, you were instructed to purchase tickets and check your baggage to Kaaterskill Station.

Haines' Corners: The chief attractions of the Catskills are mostly centered within three miles of this place. Sunset, Twilight, and Santa Cruz Parks, adjoining each other, are here. While "Squirrel Inn, " Lox Hurst," and severs smaller boarding houses are in the immediate vicinity. It is an admitted fact that the finest view in the world is but three miles distant at the Catskill Mountain House. The only two falls of any importance in the Catskills are within one mile. The Otis Station on the Catskill and Tannersville R. R. is 2200 feet above the Hudson River and it is the highest point reached by any railroad in the State of New York. With two lines of railway; six mails daily, the best of pure spring water – what more could one wish? Come to this region and judge for yourself.

There were 5 rail routes to the area: The Catskill Evening Line, The Albany Day Line, New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, West Shore Railroad, NY to Catskill, and the West Shore Railroad, New York to Kingston. Haines' Corners was the railroad station, and Haines' Falls was the post office address.

With all of the travel conveniences, is it no wonder why this area was so widely visited? Now, it seems that the boarding houses have been replaced by second, vacation homes. As automobiles became faster more affordable, and easier to drive, the visitor could come at his convenience. Many of the old hotels burned, others could not continue to survive and closed down. Private residences took their place. Women went to work, and month-long vacations were no longer.

We still have a great vacation area, and we still have, in my opinion, the best place on earth to live.